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These worrying statistics come after councils vowed to reduce the number of takeaways near schools.

Gateshead Council are trying to combat this belt-breaking problem through takeaway planning restrictions.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: “Preventing new hot food take-aways opening in areas where obesity is a concern is one of a range of measures that the council hope will help our communities live long and healthy lives.

“Our long term aim is to have the lowest obesity rate in the UK by 2030. We also have ambition to reduce the number of obese children in Year 6 to less than 10% by 2025.”

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He said: “We are committed to providing a variety of obesity prevention measures for families ranging from cooking skills and education about healthy eating, to more physical activity in our parks and communities.

“Health visitors and school nurses are working proactively to help families who may need extra support to help them eat healthily.”

Sunderland City Councillor John Kelly, also supported that work in the community could help.

A young child being weighed on scales (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

He said: “Obesity is a regional and national issue which the City Council and its public health partners are working hard to address.

“However, responsibility for influencing the health of our future generations doesn’t rest solely with the council and other organisations, but with our communities, schools and families.”

Jenni Wiggle, director of walking charity, Living Streets thinks urging children to get fit is the answer.

She said: “We need to do more to encourage children to be physically active. One of the most easiest ways of doing this is through walking.

“The Government’s commitment in the obesity strategy to setting a ‘clear target to increase the number of children walking to school’ needs to be put in action.